Over in the Moran division the race for first place is very tight between the Seapoint Restaurant (10-1) and Il Giardino Café (10-2). These two teams split their season series in two very well played games. Following close behind is the veteran Boston Beer Garden (7-5) team who are led by coach Peter Hourihan. They have recently found their stroke and will be tough to beat down the stretch. Sitting in the middle of the pack is the first year club Full Tilt (5-5) who is quietly keeping pace with the upper teams. Just behind them are Joe Pillar and his L Street Tavern (5-7) team who are much improved from last year and will most likely qualify for their first playoffs. Slightly off the playoff pace is the Gorilla Fingers (4-5), Brewers (4-6), and the 6 House (3-7). However, based on last week’s nail biter against the Beer Garden the Brewers could be in the process of turning things around. Looking up from the bottom is the winless Dorset Club (0-10). This team was in a similar position last year then caught lightening in a bottle by winning four straight games to sneak into the playoffs. They will need to find another magic trick or face a quick end to their summer softball.

In last week’s article, I mentioned that the scores of the games were abnormally high and as a result the league was discussing the possibility of adding a fourth outfielder. Well folks, it became a hot topic but the teams voted against the idea last Monday evening. Still searching for a solution I attended another game later in the week and while watching all of the fly balls fall in for hits the answer came to me. Defense! I watched both teams commit error after error which gave their opponent ample opportunities to have big innings. Forty-three runs were scored that evening and they didn’t even play the full seven innings.

It seems that our league and its players no longer pride themselves in keeping a team off the bases and off the scoreboard. Instead, many of these guys can’t wait to get to bat again to see if they can hit one off the light tower 400 feet away in left field. Unfortunately, until this attitude and approach changes the scores will continue to resemble those of football games, 23-20 as was the case last week.

In closing, the league would like to congratulate Murphy’s Law’s Mike McGuirk and wife Sarah on their arrival of son, Jack. Only weeks old, Jack was already seen taking his position in the righty’s batters box at M Street Park.

M Street Softball is played during the weeknights (Mon-Fri) with games starting at 6pm, 7:30, and 9pm. We hope to see you at the games…playball!